I recently upgraded to a 2010 JKU Sport, 6spd, 3.73s. I would like to do a 2.5" lift (probably not with adjustable LCAs at this time, but with an adjustable front track bar and at least a rear TB relocation bracket) with 285/70/17 Duratracs on stock 17" wheels with no spacers. I'm still deciding between the 2.5 options out there. My unanswered question is this: will I have rubbing/clearance issues with that setup? I have a strong dislike for wheel spacers, as well as a lot of the aftermarket wheels out there, so I'd like to stay with the stock wheels I have.

I'm sure this has been covered at length, so I apologize if I'm being redundant. I couldn't find a clear answer to this, though, as so many of you go with aftermarket wheels or spacers as part of your lift setup. If any of you are running this setup on a 4dr, and wanted to post some pics, I'd really like to take a look. Or, if you know of a thread that discusses this and wanted to point me in the right direction...

Thanks in advance...

 

Here's a pic of my 2009 with the same set up you're wanting to do. You'll want wheels with around 4.5" of back spacing. Stock wheels and 285s no bueno. Some will say to adjust the steering stops but it will suck on tight trails.

 

Everything sounds good except for your wheel choice. You'll need either 1.5" wheel spacers or afternarket wheels. I have been running Rough Country 1.5" wheel spacers for over 30k miles now and haven't loosened up a bit. They costed me $118 shipped to my door for all 4 of them. Spidertrax are another popular brand here.

Here's mine with 285/70/17 BFG A/T KO tires, stock wheels and 1.5" spacers.

 

This past 4wheeling season, I was running a 305/65/17 on stock wheels with about three inches of lift. I had very little rubbing on the swaybar and that is a very wide tire and was about 33" tall. I think the overwhelming response about wheel spacers is that they cause no problems if fastened down good. I've never ran them, but I would if I didn't go aftermarket when going 35"... welcome to the jk world.

 

If you plan on running your stock 17's you're going to need spacers. I've been using Spidertrax 1.5", I myself am not a fan of spacers but these are hub-centric quality spacers, not those cheap pep boys drop ins. As long as to torque them down correctly and check them every time you rotate you should have no problems with spacers.

 

Thanks for the info. The laws here make having spacers pretty difficult, with steep fines, including for any shop that might mount new tires for you. Our state has some really complicated vehicle inspection laws. I don't want to mess with it. That, and spacers do make me nervous and seem to be extremely expensive for what they are.

If the rubbing with 285s is minimal, such as on the front swaybar at full lock, I might live with it. I would also consider a slightly taller lift, if it made a difference.

Thanks for the welcome to the JK world. The changes from my 03 TJ to the 10 JK seem crazy!

 

You're going to rub on your lower control arms at full lock. You can adjust your steering stops to prevent it. You can always get wheels with 4.5 back backspacing and be done with it. We have safety inspections here in Hawaii but I never heard anything about spacers. The drop in spacers are extremely dangerous and should never be used but the hub-centric ones I've never heard anything bad about as long as they are installed correctly and properly maintained.